Aerophone AE-10Digital Wind Instrument

A collection of inspiring wind instruments with sax fingering and expressive breath control

Aerophone AE-10 is a digital wind instrument that lets you play sax, clarinet, flute, violin, synth sounds and many more. Since it supports traditional sax fingering, the AE-10 is instantly familiar to acoustic sax players, especially with a mouthpiece-mounted breath sensor that responds like an acoustic horn. The AE-10 also features 128* high-quality sound models including soprano and baritone sax, clarinet, trumpet, string instruments, and an array of expressive synth sounds. And the integrated speaker and battery operation means that you can play these sounds anywhere. With built-in speakers, headphones for late-night practice, battery power capability, and DAW connectivity, the Roland Aerophone AE-10 is the versatile, play-anywhere choice that supports you in every musical scenario. *Version 3.0 software includes 128 tones, with 66 new tones to expand your repertoire

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New Aerophone in Graphite Black

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Soprano, alto, tenor, baritone sax sounds: all from one instrument

Nothing beats the sound of your favorite acoustic sax, but sometimes its tone might not be quite right for the job at hand. Whatever scenario you’re playing in, the Aerophone AE-10 has the onboard digital sax sounds you need. Choose from alto, tenor, soprano, and baritone sax types, all of which respond just like their acoustic counterparts. Playing dynamics, articulation, and even the organic overtone changes caused by your breathing are all reproduced thanks to Roland’s advanced SuperNATURAL modeling technology. A dedicated “Sax Section” layers four types of sax for playing together in unison, and you can pull off a seamless performance with the Full Range feature, which automatically switches between sax types by key range.

Explore other instruments including trumpet, tuba, violin and more

The Aerophone AE-10 also features sounds from other wind instruments including trumpet, trombone, clarinet, flute, oboe, bassoon, and more. Powered by Roland’s SuperNATURAL technology, which faithfully matches the behavior of the originals, these sounds help to expand your musical range. Ethnic instruments like shakuhachi and erhu are on hand too, offering authentic pitch and tonal fluctuations that echo their acoustic counterparts. Aerophone AE-10 even includes stringed instruments such as violin, cello, and contrabass, each one capable of unique musical expressions since you control them by breath and fingering instead of bowing. Once you’ve tried the individual sounds, you can create one-man ensembles by layering multiple wind instrument sounds with the Brass Section setting. The AE-10 is also packed with a selection of the latest synth sounds that are specially tailored for wind instrument performance with fully optimized breath control.

Start playing immediately with traditional sax fingering and a responsive breath sensor

You’ve worked hard to nail your sax technique, but most digital horns make you master a new fingering system, which can be a major setback. With the Roland Aerophone AE-10, it’s a smooth transition, thanks to a layout that’s similar to your favorite acoustic sax—right down to the left-hand octave key. Plus, the AE-10 has a sensitive mouthpiece-mounted breath sensor that also functions as a bite sensor, allowing expressive techniques like vibrato and pitch. Even beginners will be able to enjoy playing the various onboard sounds straight away.

Play anytime and anywhere with onboard speakers, battery power, and headphones

Wherever and whenever you play, the portable and lightweight Roland Aerophone AE-10 is ready. Six AA batteries provide mobile power, and onboard monitor speakers deliver comfortable sound for intimate performing situations. You also have the ability to directly connect to a PA or amp for broader coverage, eliminating the need to use a mic. When you need to cover large instruments like tuba and bassoon, the battery-powered Roland CUBE Street EX is a great companion, giving you big sound in a portable package. Playing sessions are even more fun when you connect to your smartphone via the Aerophone AE-10’s stereo mini jack and jam along with favorite songs. And thanks to the headphones option, you can play around the clock without disturbing family members and neighbors.

Jam with favorite tunes on your smartphone

Playing sessions are even more fun when you connect a smartphone or music player to jam along with favorite songs. Your device connects to the stereo mini-jack input on the Aerophone AE-10, and plays through the onboard monitor speakers or connected headphones.

Breath control brings unique expressive possibilities to your music productions

While the Roland Aerophone AE-10 is a powerful standalone instrument, it also lets you get creative with external gear. You can connect to your computer via USB to play soft synths and external MIDI sound modules through your DAW, with breath control providing a world of unique expression not possible with keyboard synthesizers.

Customize your Aerophone for maximum expression

The Aerophone Editor is a free iOS app for the Aerophone AE-10 that lets you adjust tones, set various playing parameters, and organize tone lists. You’re able to deeply customize sounds and functions with parameters only available in the app, and easily create tone lists for different performance and practice situations. Via a convenient interface, you have access to four tone layers, various controller assignments, effects settings, and more. The Aerophone Editor is a must-have tool to perfectly tailor your Aerophone AE-10 for your own personal playing style.

Onboard monitor speakers and headphones output for playing anytime, anywhere

Battery operation (6 x AA) for up to seven hours of continuous play

Easy connection to a computer DAW via USB

Input for connecting a smartphone or music player for playing along with backing music

With version 3.0 software, 128 tones are available including 66 new tones

New Aerophone in Graphite Black

Digital Wind Instrument

The acoustic sax graces a variety of music genres, from jazz, classical, pop, and more. Roland’s Aerophone AE-10 is a totally new type of digital wind instrument that offers acoustic sax players an exciting and expressive range of creative options. Now available in a rich GRAPHITE BLCAK finish, this latest Aerophone provides a deep, dark metallic color choice to match your personality.

The Aerophone is based on the fingering system found on a traditional acoustic sax. This means you can play the sounds of different saxophones – including soprano, alto, tenor and baritone – along with other wind instruments such as clarinet, flute and trumpet. But you can go further still, playing violin and other stringed instruments as well as powerful synth leads.

Along with the volume, the color of the sound can be dramatically controlled by the force of your breath, while the mouthpiece detects the strength of your bite for a natural, expressive sound. You can play wherever and whenever you like too, without disturbing others, thanks to onboard speakers, battery power, and headphones. However you play, the Roland AE-10 Aerophone will spark your imagination and enrich your musical life.

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Practice any time day or night, using acoustic saxophone fingering techniques

With the same layout as an acoustic sax, Aerophone’s key positions and fingering were developed by referencing world-famous saxophones. The high-resolution mechanical buttons mean that the feel of the fingering is comparable to playing an acoustic saxophone.

Front Side

Although Aerophone’s key layout and fingering is clearly influenced by the acoustic sax, there are several subtle differences. Aerophone does not support a high F# key - instead, a Tf key is available, and its key stroke is slightly shallower than on an acoustic sax. Also, the distance between the left hand and right hand is similar to that of a soprano sax, which has a shorter distance compared with Alto/Tenor saxophones. This shorter distance may feel unfamiliar if you haven’t played a soprano sax before, although it soon becomes second nature.

Rear side

Aerophone’s key layout on the rear is also compatible with the acoustic sax. Aerophone has four rear-mounted octave keys that cover a wide range of pitches. For the sax sounds, the default octave key setting is +1-octave. For other sounds, the default four-key setting is +/-2. These key settings let you play across +1, +/-2 or +/-3 octaves for all sounds, including the sax sounds, to fit your playing style.

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An all-new digital instrument with traditional sax fingering.

The new Roland Aerophone AE-10 is a trailblazing digital wind instrument that fuses a traditional saxophone fingering system with a library of onboard acoustic and synth sounds, plus a breath sensor that reacts just like your favorite acoustic horn. US-based DJ and multi-instrumentalist Masego explores the expressive capabilities of the AE-10’s alto sax sound.

A variety of realistic acoustic instruments and award-winning synths.

There’s nothing worse than a studio session grinding to a halt because you need an instrument that you haven’t brought along. That won’t happen with the Aerophone AE-10, as it features 40 acoustic and synth sounds, all powered by Roland’s SuperNATURAL technology for natural and accurate response. US-based DJ and multi-instrumentalist Masego explores some of the AE-10’s onboard sounds while accompanied by an original backing track.

A classical-style ensemble with the AE-10 Aerophone and various acoustic wind instruments.

Regardless of the sound you use, the Aerophone AE-10 provides an paralleled level of expression suitable for any genre of music. UK-based saxophone player Alistair Parnell, accompanied by the Equinox Saxophone Ensemble, layers onboard synth lead sounds with external synth sounds in an extract from Nigel Wood's “Partial Eclipse” for solo wind synth and wind ensemble (www.saxtetpublications.com).

Play anywhere and anytime with onboard speakers, battery power, and headphones.

Wherever and whenever you play, the portable and lightweight Aerophone AE-10 is ready. Onboard monitor speakers deliver comfortable sound for intimate performing situations and six AA batteries provide convenient on-the-go power. The AE-10’s mobility is spotlighted in this open-air performance by the Japan-based trio sax triplets.

A unique solo performance featuring the AE-10 Aerophone with a DAW.

While the Roland Aerophone AE-10 is a powerful standalone instrument, it also lets you get creative with external gear. You can connect to a computer via USB to play soft synths and external MIDI sound modules through your DAW, with breath control providing a world of unique expression not possible with keyboard synthesizers. In this performance, Spanish sax player Llibert Fortuny mixes the AE-10's onboard sounds with soft synths and backing loops from Ableton Live.

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If you have questions about operating your Roland product, please check our Knowledge Base for answers to the most common questions.
You can also contact our Product Support department by phone or email.
In addition, we have a library of Owner’s Manuals and Support Documents that you can download and reference.